Cattle Prices Lower For a Third Week

Cash fed cattle traded another $2 to $3 per cwt. lower this week as packers appeared to hold the leverage in the market for the third consecutive week. Cattle traded at $152 to $153 per cwt., fully $13 per cwt. lower than the market high of $166 recorded three weeks ago. On a dressed basis, cattle sold from $240 to $242.

Feeder cattle and calves were called uneven, with calves trading in a range of steady to $5 higher and steady to $5 lower. Yearling cattle sold mostly steady to $5 lower, though demand remain strong.

Boxed beef prices traded significantly lower, with Choice values declining $6.28 for the week to close Friday at $250.20. Select values lost $7.75 to close Friday at $240.07. The Choice/Select spread was $10.13. Consumer demand is called softer due to the late summer heat.

USDA’s monthly cattle on feed report was released Friday, showing a 7 % decline in placements compared to July of last year. Total feedlot inventories were down 2 %, while marketings were pegged at 9 % below last year.